DeMint’s GOP Takeover

Frum's Forum ^ | 10/2/10 | Steve Bell

[pissant]

As the public media focuses on the upcoming November elections for House and Senate, a brewing battle within the Republican caucus in the Senate has been largely overlooked.

Many ways exist to describe the two sides of this internal civil war—“true” conservatives vs. “RINO” Republicans; extremists vs. pragmatists; new generation vs. dinosaurs. But, as is usual in politics, the battle may be embodied in two senators—Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

DeMint has successfully endorsed candidates, Tea Party and otherwise, opposed by “establishment” Republicans. In Kentucky, DeMint’s choice, Rand Paul, defeated the candidate endorsed by McConnell in the Republican primary. In Alaska, DeMint’s choice defeated incumbent GOP senator Lisa Murkowski, who had the full support of McConnell and the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. In Colorado, the Tea Party choice defeated the establishment candidate, Jane Norton. Delaware’s extraordinary Republican primary result is well-known. In Florida, Governor Charlie Crist was cruising toward the nomination and almost certain victory, only to lose to the insurgent candidate, Mario Rubio, in the primary. It cost Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, $21 million to beat the “true” Republican, J.C. Hayward, a favorite of the Tea Party.

One has to go all the way back to the late 1960s and early 1970s to see such fierce intraparty conflict. Then, the anti-war wing of the Democratic Party launched an all-out attack on establishment Democrats, electing House and Senate members and, ultimately, nominating George McGovern. Only Watergate and subsequent events forestalled the inevitable Republican wave until the 1980 elections.

Looking at the public statements of DeMint and McConnell shows the disconnect. DeMint has said, in various forms, that he would rather have 30 “real” Republicans in the Senate than 51 nominal ones.

[pissant]

As Martha Stewart would say, "and that's a good thing".

[GeronL]

Frum’s Forum??

As in David Frum?

As in the RINO with the donkey ears and tail?

I am sure they are all crying and gnashing their teeth

[ricmc2175]

Did you read this before you posted it? That much anti-Demint spin left me nauseous with vertigo.

[pissant]

OF course I read it. It’s from the Frum Forum. It’s like posting something from the NY Times. It’s going to have a leftwing slant.

[pissant]

That they are!

[Walrus]

DeMint is Da Man!

If he’s a republican, I’m a republican; if he leaves the party, I leave the party.

Don’t you just love the smell of revolution in the morning?

[ricmc2175]

It just didn’t have a slant, this tipped over and sunk. Or was that stunk.

[tennmountainman]

“I am sure they are all crying and gnashing their teeth”

We will dispatch the RATS in November, then have plenty of time to recruit and vet some great Tea Party candidates for 2012.

FRUM doesn’t seem to understand. This is just the beginning of what’s to come. He’s only been given a small preview of what the future holds for the RINOs.

[Dr. Sivana]

Why is this man allowed to write?

But, as is usual in politics, the battle may be embodied in two senators—Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

This asinine statement claims that two (not three, not four) senators are the "usual" focus of a political battle. Really? Can you name one that most people would characterize that way? Joe McCarthy and ??? John McCain vs. Russ Feingold??? Oh ... they collaborated. That statement is completely unsupported, and I cannot even think of an anecdotal example that Frum uses to make the case. He doesn't even try.

In Florida, Governor Charlie Crist was cruising toward the nomination and almost certain victory, only to lose to the insurgent candidate, Mario Rubio, in the primary.

Uhhhh ... Charlie Crist didn't even run in the primary. He dropped out before it occurred.

[hattend]

And of course, it’s all peace and harmony over on the Dim side of the aisle

[traditional1]

I believe Mitch McConell is way too soft, and doesn't confront the Socialists with any balls at all.

Demint would be excellent in confronting the Agenda-pushers, but it truly will be a tough fight to gain the Leader role, so long as you have the likes of Snowe, Collins, Graham, McLame, etc. in there fighting for the same progressive/socialist agenda with an (R) by their name.

[Dr. Sivana]

Why is this man allowed to write?

But, as is usual in politics, the battle may be embodied in two senators—Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

This asinine statement claims that two (not three, not four) senators are the "usual" focus of a political battle. Really? Can you name one that most people would characterize that way? Joe McCarthy and ??? John McCain vs. Russ Feingold??? Oh ... they collaborated. That statement is completely unsupported, and I cannot even think of an anecdotal example that Frum uses to make the case. He doesn't even try.

In Florida, Governor Charlie Crist was cruising toward the nomination and almost certain victory, only to lose to the insurgent candidate, Mario Rubio, in the primary.

Uhhhh ... Charlie Crist didn't even run in the primary. He dropped out before it occurred.

[K-oneTexas]

McConnell is no leader. He is a follower who has no effectiveness or ability in his current role other than to ‘cave’ to the opposition.

DeMint is a leader.

Change is desperately need in Congress and DeMint and Coburn spring to mind as two who could make a difference. Lets rid ourselves of the RINO’s and put some in there who have a clue.

[Outlaw Woman]

Jim Demint is one of the most outstanding Senators that we have and the reason is this: Senator Demint is going directly to the American people and informing them directly of what is happening in the bowels of Congress (bowels being an intentional noun). This is exactly why President Reagan achieved his phenomenal popularity and success. He understood the role of government & understood the concept of 'governing with the consent of the governed'.

And I would like to add, Gov Palin clearly understands this as well and that is exactly why people are drawn to her. She 'gets it'.

[heye2monn]

Wrong, Mr.Bell. There is a big difference between the Tea Party and the doomed McGovernites of 1972. The acid-amnesty crowd was on the wrong side of the history — soon to be swamped by the somewhat conservative Nixon in 1972 and the very conservative Reagan in 1980.

By contrast, the Tea Party is on the right side of the issues. Our nation is drowning in debt and Obama-socialism for the indefinite future. We must stand and fight, not get all wobbly like David Frum and the weak-kneed elites.

[oldbill]

". . . such fierce intraparty conflict

Uh, it's conservatives versus RINOs. RINOs are democrats who belong to better country clubs. They are not in the same party.

[no dems]

If the GOP retakes control of the Senate, we need to press for Jim DeMint to be the Senate Majority Leader. If we do not retake control of the Senate, we need to push for DeMint to be the Minority Leader.

It’s time to let the establishment RINOs know: You are not in charge anymore; Bucko.

[The Bronze Titan]

McConnell is a wounded ‘leader’. He’s lost important endorsements, so he’s lost a huge amount of clout. If the Republican caucus re-elects McConnell as leader, that means we will have more work to do in 2012.

[RummyChick]

“Encourage cost-effective chronic care and more compassionate end-of-life care”

Was Demint for rationed health care or death panels?

[Outlaw Woman]

Really? He said that? Please cite sources. If you know of any other Senator that is fighting for constitutional government in the way Demint is, by all means, please inform everyone.